June 17, 2024 • 11 mins
Sienna and Annie discuss universal suffrage, politics and gender equality and being a mosquito.
Huge leaps forwards in gender equality in the UK have been made in the almost 100 years since all women were allowed to vote. However, the gender pay gap remains stubbornly at 8%, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions and in politics, and violence against women remains widespread in society. What next for gender justice in the UK?
Further reading and action:
The View from a Cupboard in Parliament – Joint Public Issues Team (jpit.uk)
Elections – Joint Public Issues Team (jpit.uk)
Register to vote - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Apply for a postal vote (www.gov.uk)
Find us on: * X/Twitter x.com/publicissues * Instagram instagram.com/public.issues * Facebook facebook.com/jointpublicissues * YouTube youtube.com/publicissues Find out more at https://jpit.uk/
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to 10 Minutes On, a podcast from the Joint Public Issues Team.
My name's Sienna and I'm a Joint Public Issues Team intern.
And I'm Annie, I'm the other JPIT intern. And today we're going to be talking
about why we vote and we'll be looking at the history of suffrage in the UK.
So, Annie, to start off our conversation, why do you vote? And in particular,
(00:20):
why are you going to be voting in this general election?
I guess I've never really thought about why I vote. I don't think I've ever
considered not voting, to be honest.
I was brought up in a home where we openly talked
about politics and lots of justice issues so I
was aware of political issues from like quite a young age even
if I didn't really realize they were politics and I
(00:40):
think that probably informs why and how I vote being aware
of or angry about injustices and lots
of issues in the world and our country motivates me to vote
because that's the way we can all help and bring change and
tell those who hold the power to change things and what we want to see but Sienna
you've been working for an MP so you clearly care a lot about politics you also
(01:01):
wrote a piece on women's suffrage which was an insider perspective from parliament
can you say a bit more about this how does this shape why you vote and your
engagement with politics and why are you going to be voting in this election?
Yeah so I'll start in parliament in parliament I've been really struck by how
history is just around you in the fabric of the building from Westminster Hall
(01:22):
where supposedly they found tennis balls that King Henry VIII used to play tennis with,
to the cupboard where one of the suffragettes, Emily Davison, hid herself.
When you look at history and when you dig into parliamentary history and when
you dig into the building itself, you can see the way that how women have for
centuries been excluded from politics.
And this only changed because of the hard work of women and men who fought,
(01:47):
went to prison, marched for the right to vote.
And so when I have been been working in parliament this year I've become so
much more aware of and grateful for the fact that I am able to vote and actually
I think I've taken it for granted and I don't want to I don't want to do that
anymore but I'm gonna the reason that I've engaged in politics and also the
reason like working in politics and for an MP working for JPIT and also the
(02:10):
reason why I vote is because I similarly to you Annie really just feel like
when I look at the world there are so So many hugely pressing issues from climate
change to fast fashion to conflicts around the world.
The reality is that there is so much need for action and politics is one way
in which this can be done.
(02:32):
And often women are like doubly impacted by politics.
These big issues these really important issues and they're
also often some of the voices who are excluded and
so I'm going to be voting to remember the hard work and sacrifice of
the people who have fought for my right to vote and also because voting is a
way that I can voice my concerns I can vote for a direction that I want this
(02:55):
world the UK to move in and because it's one way but not the only way that I
am choosing to get involved in politics as a follower of Jesus I also
see ways in which he just really, I guess, platformed the voices of women or
like included women in a way that was just completely radical for his time.
(03:15):
And we kind of lose that because we don't see the context now.
But I just really think that both from like a faith perspective,
from my lived experience and from history, there are so many compelling reasons
as to why we vote. So that's a little bit of me.
What are your thoughts on the intersection of gender and politics?
Yeah, I think gender and politics are so intrinsically linked,
(03:37):
as are all forms of discrimination and marginalisation.
And I think that's important to lots of women, is thinking about the fight for
women's suffrage in the UK, like you said, and it really wasn't very long ago,
and thinking about what those women gave up and how they campaigned and suffered.
And it really makes me feel privileged about being able to vote and to feel a duty to vote when I can.
(03:57):
It's also really important to think about the huge amount of gender inequality
and violence against women in the UK and across the world with the gender pay
gap still privileging men and the huge under-representation of women in politics and top-level jobs.
So, yeah, I think it's really easy to get complacent by comparing our situation
in the UK to that of other countries where being a woman is much more dangerous
(04:21):
and thinking how easy and great we have it here.
And yes, like we we do enjoy more freedom than many other women,
but there's still such a long way to go until we have true gender equality.
So I think voting is such an important way that we can we can acknowledge that.
Yeah, I completely agree. It's just crazy that we're still in the UK.
Well as of like April 2022 among full-time
(04:43):
employees the gender pay gap was still 8.3% and
that there are just so many issues that
women are facing I think one I have been I
think my eyes have been opened in recent years through
experience of people close to me around how
many women are impacted
(05:03):
by sexual violence and and like fairly
was really astonished to learn that a woman
is killed on estimate by a man
every three days in the uk and that one in
four women will experience domestic violence and as
you say women are dramatically like underrepresented in politics still yes we've
(05:24):
had some female prime ministers but actually the reality is politics is still
a male-dominated space and in order for us to move forward and make progress on women quote-unquote.
Women's issues we we need women
to be there and to be able to speak and to get those like issues towards the
(05:45):
top of the agenda yeah yeah definitely so we're both clearly going to vote and
we're part of an age range that is statistically less likely to vote and generally
lots of people are feeling apathetic about voting.
We heard from Maya in the first episode of this little series,
who very compellingly told us earlier in the week about her opinion.
(06:07):
What do you have to say to people who feel frustrated about politics?
I think I'd begin by saying yes, it is frustrating and it can be frustrating
and the state of British politics is not glowing.
I don't know if any time, although to be fair, I don't know if.
This this is that unique and I imagine that in
(06:28):
every single time there's been an election it's
felt like politics could be in a better position but the
reality is that nothing has ever changed
because a bunch of people have sat in a room complaining to
their friends and family things have only changed by people
going out and doing things and being part of the
solution by acting and
(06:51):
so my encouragement would be
use your frustration if you have
anger like anger can be a productive force yes it
can also be like a really destructive force but
I do think like anger and frustration or sadness and can
be a real force for change and motivation
to get out there and be part of a
(07:11):
solution and so I would say start by like get
praying pray for our political leaders pray for our election pray
for our political parties pray for our churches pray for
the political issues that you care about say get educated
like spend time learning about the different political parties about what it
like when the manifestos come out read them make sure like you are making an
(07:33):
informed decision but also get learning about the issues are there things that
you can be pushing for if there's a hosting are there questions that you can ask your candidates.
If there's can you email your
candidates in advance of the election to ask what their
positions are because actually they're they have a
really it's a really great opportunity to get people to
(07:55):
listen at the moment they want
to win your vote and so getting issues on
their agenda it's a like just before and just after the election is a real opportunity
to do that and then I'd also say get involved I definitely vote I would obviously
Annie you and I both think that voting is really important but I would say like go out and vote maybe.
(08:20):
Help people in your congregation or in your local community to register to vote.
Help them with getting voter ID if they don't have it.
Also, think about, in a broader sense, think about joining a party.
Think about going door knocking. Be part of politics. Politics only changes
when people are involved.
And I just think it can be so easy to let our apathy stop us from action and
(08:44):
let our frustration stop us from being part of the solution.
And I know I keep banging on about it but I really do
think that politics changes when people do things
and there's that quote about the mosquito that if you think that you're too
small to make a difference remember I'm paraphrasing but have you ever been
in a room with a mosquito and I do think you know if we can all be our little
(09:08):
little mosquitoes in our local areas then we can make a big difference.
So Annie what would you
share with a first-time voter I think
I would agree with all of what you just said I would share
exactly those things yeah definitely do your research into
all of the parties talk to your candidates I would also say try and have honest
(09:29):
and open conversations with people you trust not just those who you think hold
similar opinions with you which I personally find very hard but yeah talk to
different people people who
you can have safe and honest conversations with because you might learn
different things and see things in different ways. And also just make sure you're registered.
You've got until I think it's the 18th or 19th of June, 18th of June,
(09:52):
I think, which is today just over a week away. So it's not too long.
And then make sure you register for postal proxy vote in time if you need one.
And then on polling day, just make sure you cross, don't tick, cross the right box.
Yeah. Do you want to add anything else? I'd agree with all of that.
I think the only thing that I would add is maybe if you're unsure about whether
(10:14):
or not to vote, you want to vote for the person who has been your MP.
Obviously, candidates will make their views aware at hustings, etc.
And also on their website and as they doorknock and through flyers.
But also, do have a look at the voting record record
of your local MP you can
look at what they work for you is a good
website for that and also if there
(10:37):
are particular issues that you're not sure where the party stands on yes there
are their manifestos but also you can look at the party's voting record and
also candidates voting records on key pieces of legislation because I actually
think that while it can seem like there's not that much difference between the
political parties having worked in parliament.
(10:58):
Most of the time or very frequently the parties vote in very different directions
there's none of the main leaders have changed other than the SMP and even then
the direction hasn't changed hugely so it'll be a good kind of barometer for
what it would look like and then the next government.
That's great advice. Just a couple key
bits of information if you are wanting to get involved in the election go across
(11:19):
to our website jpit.uk forward slash elections that's jpit.uk
forward slash elections and you can find all our resources
to help your church run hustings you can find our topical election briefings
and a resource on how to run an election sunday help your congregation register
and learn all they need to get ready to vote don't forget to register before
the 18th of june if you've enjoyed this podcast please share it around thank
(11:43):
you so much for listening.
Welcome to 10 Minutes On, a podcast from the Joint Public Issues Team.
My name's Sienna and I'm a Joint Public Issues Team intern.
And I'm Annie, I'm the other JPIT intern. And today we're going to be talking
about why we vote and we'll be looking at the history of suffrage in the UK.
So, Annie, to start off our conversation, why do you vote? And in particular,
(00:20):
why are you going to be voting in this general election?
I guess I've never really thought about why I vote. I don't think I've ever
considered not voting, to be honest.
I was brought up in a home where we openly talked
about politics and lots of justice issues so I
was aware of political issues from like quite a young age even
if I didn't really realize they were politics and I
(00:40):
think that probably informs why and how I vote being aware
of or angry about injustices and lots
of issues in the world and our country motivates me to vote
because that's the way we can all help and bring change and
tell those who hold the power to change things and what we want to see but Sienna
you've been working for an MP so you clearly care a lot about politics you also
(01:01):
wrote a piece on women's suffrage which was an insider perspective from parliament
can you say a bit more about this how does this shape why you vote and your
engagement with politics and why are you going to be voting in this election?
Yeah so I'll start in parliament in parliament I've been really struck by how
history is just around you in the fabric of the building from Westminster Hall
(01:22):
where supposedly they found tennis balls that King Henry VIII used to play tennis with,
to the cupboard where one of the suffragettes, Emily Davison, hid herself.
When you look at history and when you dig into parliamentary history and when
you dig into the building itself, you can see the way that how women have for
centuries been excluded from politics.
And this only changed because of the hard work of women and men who fought,
(01:47):
went to prison, marched for the right to vote.
And so when I have been been working in parliament this year I've become so
much more aware of and grateful for the fact that I am able to vote and actually
I think I've taken it for granted and I don't want to I don't want to do that
anymore but I'm gonna the reason that I've engaged in politics and also the
reason like working in politics and for an MP working for JPIT and also the
(02:10):
reason why I vote is because I similarly to you Annie really just feel like
when I look at the world there are so So many hugely pressing issues from climate
change to fast fashion to conflicts around the world.
The reality is that there is so much need for action and politics is one way
in which this can be done.
(02:32):
And often women are like doubly impacted by politics.
These big issues these really important issues and they're
also often some of the voices who are excluded and
so I'm going to be voting to remember the hard work and sacrifice of
the people who have fought for my right to vote and also because voting is a
way that I can voice my concerns I can vote for a direction that I want this
(02:55):
world the UK to move in and because it's one way but not the only way that I
am choosing to get involved in politics as a follower of Jesus I also
see ways in which he just really, I guess, platformed the voices of women or
like included women in a way that was just completely radical for his time.
(03:15):
And we kind of lose that because we don't see the context now.
But I just really think that both from like a faith perspective,
from my lived experience and from history, there are so many compelling reasons
as to why we vote. So that's a little bit of me.
What are your thoughts on the intersection of gender and politics?
Yeah, I think gender and politics are so intrinsically linked,
(03:37):
as are all forms of discrimination and marginalisation.
And I think that's important to lots of women, is thinking about the fight for
women's suffrage in the UK, like you said, and it really wasn't very long ago,
and thinking about what those women gave up and how they campaigned and suffered.
And it really makes me feel privileged about being able to vote and to feel a duty to vote when I can.
(03:57):
It's also really important to think about the huge amount of gender inequality
and violence against women in the UK and across the world with the gender pay
gap still privileging men and the huge under-representation of women in politics and top-level jobs.
So, yeah, I think it's really easy to get complacent by comparing our situation
in the UK to that of other countries where being a woman is much more dangerous
(04:21):
and thinking how easy and great we have it here.
And yes, like we we do enjoy more freedom than many other women,
but there's still such a long way to go until we have true gender equality.
So I think voting is such an important way that we can we can acknowledge that.
Yeah, I completely agree. It's just crazy that we're still in the UK.
Well as of like April 2022 among full-time
(04:43):
employees the gender pay gap was still 8.3% and
that there are just so many issues that
women are facing I think one I have been I
think my eyes have been opened in recent years through
experience of people close to me around how
many women are impacted
(05:03):
by sexual violence and and like fairly
was really astonished to learn that a woman
is killed on estimate by a man
every three days in the uk and that one in
four women will experience domestic violence and as
you say women are dramatically like underrepresented in politics still yes we've
(05:24):
had some female prime ministers but actually the reality is politics is still
a male-dominated space and in order for us to move forward and make progress on women quote-unquote.
Women's issues we we need women
to be there and to be able to speak and to get those like issues towards the
(05:45):
top of the agenda yeah yeah definitely so we're both clearly going to vote and
we're part of an age range that is statistically less likely to vote and generally
lots of people are feeling apathetic about voting.
We heard from Maya in the first episode of this little series,
who very compellingly told us earlier in the week about her opinion.
(06:07):
What do you have to say to people who feel frustrated about politics?
I think I'd begin by saying yes, it is frustrating and it can be frustrating
and the state of British politics is not glowing.
I don't know if any time, although to be fair, I don't know if.
This this is that unique and I imagine that in
(06:28):
every single time there's been an election it's
felt like politics could be in a better position but the
reality is that nothing has ever changed
because a bunch of people have sat in a room complaining to
their friends and family things have only changed by people
going out and doing things and being part of the
solution by acting and
(06:51):
so my encouragement would be
use your frustration if you have
anger like anger can be a productive force yes it
can also be like a really destructive force but
I do think like anger and frustration or sadness and can
be a real force for change and motivation
to get out there and be part of a
(07:11):
solution and so I would say start by like get
praying pray for our political leaders pray for our election pray
for our political parties pray for our churches pray for
the political issues that you care about say get educated
like spend time learning about the different political parties about what it
like when the manifestos come out read them make sure like you are making an
(07:33):
informed decision but also get learning about the issues are there things that
you can be pushing for if there's a hosting are there questions that you can ask your candidates.
If there's can you email your
candidates in advance of the election to ask what their
positions are because actually they're they have a
really it's a really great opportunity to get people to
(07:55):
listen at the moment they want
to win your vote and so getting issues on
their agenda it's a like just before and just after the election is a real opportunity
to do that and then I'd also say get involved I definitely vote I would obviously
Annie you and I both think that voting is really important but I would say like go out and vote maybe.
(08:20):
Help people in your congregation or in your local community to register to vote.
Help them with getting voter ID if they don't have it.
Also, think about, in a broader sense, think about joining a party.
Think about going door knocking. Be part of politics. Politics only changes
when people are involved.
And I just think it can be so easy to let our apathy stop us from action and
(08:44):
let our frustration stop us from being part of the solution.
And I know I keep banging on about it but I really do
think that politics changes when people do things
and there's that quote about the mosquito that if you think that you're too
small to make a difference remember I'm paraphrasing but have you ever been
in a room with a mosquito and I do think you know if we can all be our little
(09:08):
little mosquitoes in our local areas then we can make a big difference.
So Annie what would you
share with a first-time voter I think
I would agree with all of what you just said I would share
exactly those things yeah definitely do your research into
all of the parties talk to your candidates I would also say try and have honest
(09:29):
and open conversations with people you trust not just those who you think hold
similar opinions with you which I personally find very hard but yeah talk to
different people people who
you can have safe and honest conversations with because you might learn
different things and see things in different ways. And also just make sure you're registered.
You've got until I think it's the 18th or 19th of June, 18th of June,
(09:52):
I think, which is today just over a week away. So it's not too long.
And then make sure you register for postal proxy vote in time if you need one.
And then on polling day, just make sure you cross, don't tick, cross the right box.
Yeah. Do you want to add anything else? I'd agree with all of that.
I think the only thing that I would add is maybe if you're unsure about whether
(10:14):
or not to vote, you want to vote for the person who has been your MP.
Obviously, candidates will make their views aware at hustings, etc.
And also on their website and as they doorknock and through flyers.
But also, do have a look at the voting record record
of your local MP you can
look at what they work for you is a good
website for that and also if there
(10:37):
are particular issues that you're not sure where the party stands on yes there
are their manifestos but also you can look at the party's voting record and
also candidates voting records on key pieces of legislation because I actually
think that while it can seem like there's not that much difference between the
political parties having worked in parliament.
(10:58):
Most of the time or very frequently the parties vote in very different directions
there's none of the main leaders have changed other than the SMP and even then
the direction hasn't changed hugely so it'll be a good kind of barometer for
what it would look like and then the next government.
That's great advice. Just a couple key
bits of information if you are wanting to get involved in the election go across
(11:19):
to our website jpit.uk forward slash elections that's jpit.uk
forward slash elections and you can find all our resources
to help your church run hustings you can find our topical election briefings
and a resource on how to run an election sunday help your congregation register
and learn all they need to get ready to vote don't forget to register before
the 18th of june if you've enjoyed this podcast please share it around thank
(11:43):
you so much for listening.
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